Confused!

[prepharmwsu]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I was recently offered a summer research position (volunteer) at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. I would be working in the cancer drug research lab for 8 weeks, and I feel that this would be great volunteer work to list on my pharmacy applications.

However, I was planning on taking a full course load this summer in order to get my prereqs done sooner. If I take this summer position, I will set myself back an entire year.

So far I have pharmacy tech experience and some volunteer work, but I thought that this would possibly set me aside from some of the other applicants.

I was thinking that I could work on my prereqs this summer, apply to pharm school, and if I didn't get in I could volunteer the following summer before applying again.

But, unfortunetly...I don't like that idea.

Any helpful suggestions?

 

[sdn1977]

Unfortunately, I have no suggestions to offer, but I do have some things to think about.

Are you absolutely dead set on entering pharmacy school...in what, 2008? What makes that the "perfect" time? Is there any reason to finish your prereqs that fast (don't know if you're getting a degree or not) & pharmacy school? Is there any possibility you may not want to become a pharmacist, or could this possibly spur an interest not just in research alone, but perhaps research pharmacy?

Is there any place in the back of your mind that says you may want to pursue a PhD & go into research...or an MD & pursue either cancer, immunology or research?

Could this opportunity in Nova Scotia provide some answers to these, perhaps, unspoken questions.

If nothing else, a summer in Nova Scotia...if you have the money to spend living there, is a unique opportunity. Yes, it would certainly look good on any application - pharmacy or medicine....but more importantly, it would be a one-of-a kind opportunity and one few folks get the chance to take.

Life can be very short...but your career, at times, can stretch endlessly. You'll have plenty of time to work, but few chances to do rare things.

Whatever you decide.....good luck & enjoy!